Sup Ign fans!?! Just recently I’ve gotten a chance at a little taste of true next gen with the Battlefield 4 Beta. This beta features the map “Siege of Shanghai”, and includes a limited selection of weapons and gadgets to fight and destroy your way through the ranks. But what fun comes without sacrifice? I am going to go through this beta piece by piece to show the ups and downs of this early experience.

To start off, Battlefield 4 is taking a very ambitious step for the battlefield franchise, some in the right ways some in the not so great ways. The Siege of Shanghai map is a very urban styled map with some very interesting features. I think we all have been in awe since E3 about the falling skyscraper demo, but Siege of Shanghai has also incorporated a lot of small tactile features like turning off lights or starting car alarms or even shooting a fire extinguisher to blind your enemies. I have found myself in a lot of “Only in Battlefield” moments and the level of change and destruction you can inflict on a map is very impressive, but I have also noticed some missing features when it comes to the destruction aspect. Lots of times I have wondered why, for example, one wall was destroyed when I blew it up, but the other just had a burn mark. The map, at times, feels polished and beautiful, and at other times, feels broken and incomplete. My other complaint is that, the more and more I play, the skyscraper falling and crumbling to the ground seems a lot more like a cinematic event that I can move and look around in than a naturally flowing map event.

The arsenal of weapons to use is very limited in this beta. You start with one of every kind of weapon, except DMR’s, Carbines, and Shotguns, and are forced to use that weapon, unlocking special attachments along the way, until you gain a high enough experience level in that weapon to advance onto the next weapon in that class. The full game is supposed to contain over 100 weapons, attachments, and gadgets, but from the samples given in this beta, I can’t see much difference between different weapons in the same classes. I’m sure that opinion will change by the time the full game launches. I have also noticed a huge increase in bullet drop, which can render sniping very difficult. Overall though I am a little bit disappointed about the lack of choice, but again this is still a beta.

I think this beta, although far from flawless, gives us a firm grasp of what’s to come for battlefield in the coming months and it looks very promising. But what do you think? Think it has some major room for improvement and aren’t yet sold on Bf4 yet? Or do you think Dice has delivered a flawless representation of the future of Battlefield? Tell me in the comments below. I’ll be back next week so make sure to hit the follow button. But until then, stay frosty my friends.

How are you doing today IGN? I was thinking today, and started pondering a wide debate that has been going on for quite some time, that surfaced about a year ago again from the Sandy Hook school shooting. Violence in video games for minors has been widely debated and is why we now have the ESRB rating system. Eligibility to play these games in my opinion is all relevant to the child. In my experience I have met many kids who are more than mature enough to play titles like Call of Duty, Assassin’s Creed, Etc. that are not allowed by their guardians only because of the ESRB rating. I have also met children who have been exposed to games like GTA that have no business playing titles like that. It all comes down to your kid’s maturity level and most importantly how much the parents care.

Parents these days are often un-educated in this field and often judge titles unfairly because of the name, cover, or ESRB rating on the box. Some titles are amazing games dubbed M by the ESRB that many children would be greatly intrigued by and that many could benefit from especially if they desire to pursue a career in Gaming Journalism. Again, it all boils down to the maturity level of your son/daughter. Some kids can handle titles such as Halo for example at an early age like 10, some may not be suited and may be ready at 15. If a child is always called in to the principal’s office for violent behavior/troublemaking, it may be time to rethink what the parents let them play. The most important aspect to look at is how the son/daughter interprets digital media. If they take everything they see on tv or games to heart, that kid might not be suitable to play a game like GTA. A child should always understand that the media and video games should be separated from reality.

Most politicians who are against violent video games I feel are way out of line. My assumption is that 9 out of 10 of those people do not play and do not intend to play games and therefore have no idea what they are talking about. The views of these people are based on what they saw back when video games first started off with Mario, and Link and now think, “Mario and Link are out in San Andreas shooting hookers and running over pedestrians? BAN IT ALL”. I feel listening to what politicians have to say is an unfair argument and in most cases should be disregarded. But what do you think? Think all minors should be banned from playing M-rated games? Leave it in the comments. As always thanks for reading and I’ll see you next week.

Esports have been a very popular enterprise in the video game industry with blockbusters like League of Legends, CoD: Black Ops 2, Dota 2, and Starcraft 2 for the hardcore gamers. But what about the players who play games like Just Dance or The Crew? Enter, Ubisoft's The Next Level. Ubisoft intends to bring Esports to the masses with it's all new service, being shown at PAX this weekend. Teams of players and friends have gotten together to compete in leagues like MLG, but those leagues have been centered around the very hardcore audience playing for the big money. Ubisoft intends to bring the scope of Esports to a much wider audience where anyone is invited and can join, make a team, or play the biggest blockbuster titles competitively.

At release, a wide veriety of games will be affiliated with The Next Level, including Splinter Cell: Blacklist, Trials: Evolution, Rayman Legends, Assassins Creed, and more. Although all of the debut titles are Ubisoft games, They have said that the company is in talks with other mainstream developers to make other Non-Ubisoft titles a part of The Next Level. In the long run, this could change the factor of intimidation of Esports and add many new players to this branch of the industry.

With The Next Level, Ubisoft intends to match players with other players and opponents at the same skill level to each other for the best experience and most fun competitive games possible. Esports will now be way accessible and not nearly as intimidating as hardcore Starcraft 2 and Dota 2 competitions were in the past. Prizes for winners will not only include cash and points, but also scholarships, tickets to events such as PAX, E3, or Comic Con, and trips to meet the developers. This will keep the Hardcore, Softcore, and everyone in between coming back for more competitive action on some of their favorite games.

Think The Next Level is worth all my hype? or do you think its just a big scam to get you to play Ubisoft's games? Leave your opinion in the comments below. I'm sorry for not posting a blog in the last few weeks, School has been getting back in session and it has been very hectic and time consuming but i will try to keep a blog going every week. Until next time, thanks for reading

Hey, what’s up IGN peeplez? This post is going up a bit late because I have been waiting for the recent CoD: Ghosts multiplayer reveal so I could give my view on one of the biggest arguments in the industry, Battlefield vs Call of Duty. I will be comparing what we have seen at E3 and other related events for Call of Duty: Ghosts and Battlefield 4. I’ll be comparing based on 3 categories, Story, Gameplay Mechanics, and Classes and Customization. Again this is my opinion based on what we have seen at E3, Xbox and Ps4 reveals, etc. So without further ado, lets start with Story.

Story

Not much information has surfaced about the CoD: Ghosts campaign yet but at least we have the general idea of what has happened in the world of Ghosts. The story takes place 2 years after the United States has fallen due to a, “mass event” according to Infinity Ward, that has pitted the remaining soldiers against their attackers (infinity ward has not specified who these attackers are yet). You, your brother, and your dog Riley, with your country and home crumbling around you, have unearthed a secret organization known as the Ghosts fighting back against your attackers trying to reclaim the United States of America.

A lot more has been revealed for the Battlefield 4 campaign since its reveal in March. You play as Sergeant Daniel Recker as a member of an elite squad for the US military dubbed Tombstone Squad. While retrieving intel from a Russian general in Baku, you are intercepted by Russian troops and are forced to fight your way to the extraction point. The Intel you collect confirms suspicions that Admiral Chang is planning a political takeover of China’s government, and if it succeeds, Russia will back him up. After the US has been accused for the assassination of Jin Jié, Admiral Chang has declared martial law as the US and Russia station their ships off the coast of China. The rest of the campaign is spent trying to prevent a huge conflict with China and keep Admiral Chang from rising to power. This category can go either way, but based on lack of information and believability of the scenario, this category goes to Battlefield 4.

Gameplay Mechanics

Battlefield 4 and CoD: Ghosts both have very unique gameplay styles and perks. Call of Duty has introduced mechanics such as being able to slide on your knees while firing, and automatically leaning from cover, that add a certain feel of realism, while keeping true to the initial feel of the CoD franchise. As it has always had, Battlefield has a lot more accurate depiction of recoil and kickback from firing certain types of weapons and forces you to fire in short bursts to be accurate at longer ranges, putting an end to “spraying and praying” and giving a lot more realism to the weapon mechanics. There are also vehicles like jets, tanks, humvees, etc. that adds whole different play styles and complications to multiplayer matches. Based on the extensive strive for realism and the ability to play with other types of vehicular combat, this category again goes to Battlefield 4.

Classes and Customization

Both franchises have added major improvements to their class customization systems. Since Black Ops 2, Call of Duty has adopted a 10 item loadout limit, meaning you have ten points to spend, guns cost a point, attachments and perks cost points,etc. This system is being implemented in CoD: Ghosts, but includes some new changes. You will still be charged points for weapons, attachments, and grenades, but there will be a whole different point system for perks. Each perk will have a value from 1-5, 8 points spent being the max. Battlefield 4 has an entirely different setup. Instead of 10 of any weapons or gear per loadout, Battlefield 4 has an intricate class system with 4 classes. Assault, Recon, Engineer, and Support. Each class has its own set of guns and perks they can equip as well as a few items that can be equiped to all classes. DoD: Ghosts is now introducing a new feature to their game, giving players the freedom to customize their soldier with different battle attire, or even play as a female. Due to the freedom of making your own classes, and character customization, this category goes to CoD: Ghosts.

What do you think?

So what do you think? Have your own opinion on the topic? think i'm entirely wrong and want to prove it? Leave it in the comments below. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed it

Sorry this went up a little late, I have been very busy lately and have been out for a week.

Hello IGN Community

What's up IGN fans? BEYOND! I’ve been a fan of IGN since my I first started gaming. It started with looking up simple game playthroughs, the best way to earn all achievements or trophies, but soon it became a daily exercise of checking out the amazing stories of the IGN staff and reading what the community had to say about them. My goal has been to start blogging on IGN.com for a while now, and after recent BEYOND related events, I feel its as good of a time as ever.

A Little Bit About Me

A little bit about me, I live close to San Francisco, Love the weather here and the people are amazing. In my free time I tend to enjoy anything from a gut wrenching, heart pounding game like The Last of Us, to a calm race around the track in games like Forza, Gran Turismo, etc. I might occasionally go for a hike or go play a game of airsoft but that is beside the point. I try my very hardest to attend all of the events of IGN that I can, but schooling and commitments have kept me from attending events such as Up At Noon filmings.

Judgement Day 2012

The very first event I went to was the Judgement Day 2012 party at the IGN office announcing the candidates for IGN’s GOTY. It was held in the IGN lunchroom on, if i recall correctly, the third floor of the building. There were kiosks set up from Telltale Games, Bioware, Bethesda, and about 7 other studios’ games for the ten nominees. I walked around, met a few developers, and picked up a few t-shirts and other swag, but then, about halfway through, I had the privilege of meeting IGN’s Community Manager Sean Allen. We talked for awhile, introduced ourselves, and had a good time. I was then offered a tour of the office that I couldn’t turn down. The workplace was honestly like a screenshot from a dream. the desks were lined with video game figurines and other types of awesome memorabilia, the walls plastered with every ridiculous, nerdy painting you could imagine, and every conference room we walked by was themed in an entirely different way. At almost the end of the tour, Sean brought me to the podcast booth where two of my most favorite IGN editors were getting ready for a recording of some sort. I was fanboying out so bad. they let me put on a headset and just started chatting for what felt like 10 minutes. we were nearly finished when another editor walked into the room. At that point they were ready to start so I said my goodbyes and exited. Throughout the rest of the night, I had a true blast meeting all of the IGN staff and watching the Q&A with many developers from all over, but in all, it was one of the most memorable experiences I have ever had with IGN.

Beyond 300, My experience

As most of you know, Beyond 300 was filmed last week in the IGN lunchroom with 400 Podcast Beyond fans. I had the great privilege of attending that event and being in the audience of about 399 other fans. I got in line to enter about two and a half hours early and there was already about 80 people lined up, pumped for the event. In line I met a couple amazing people, some hardcore Playstation Fans. We finally entered an elevator to the 3rd floor and very quickly the booming crowd was upon me as the podcast started.

Colin, Greg, and Andrew sharing some laughs with Shuhei Yoshida

After the three and a half hours of surprise guests, BEYOND!’s, and a lot of pizza, the podcast was sadly completed. I got my dualshock 2 signed by everyone PLUS Shuhei Yoshida, and spent almost the rest of the evening talking with Sean Allen and a man I met named Erik (follow him on IGN at splitmindeddude) who is an amazing guy (he was the one who kind of got me going on this blog). All too soon, the night was over, and I had to head off.

What did you think?

If you were there or watched online, what did you think of Podcast Beyond 300? What do you want to know about me or want me to talk about next? Leave it in the comments below. Just to wrap things up, I will try to put up a blog at least once a week although there are no promises. Share this with your friends, your brother, your parents, your third cousin in law’s goldfish, and most importantly thank you for reading

P.S. I will not have a post up next week due to a week long backpacking trip.